-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- While some criticism targeting President Obama is racially motivated , the fight over health care is n't , former President Clinton told CNN .

Former President Clinton says Democrats need to win the health care debate `` on the merits . ''

`` I believe that some of the right-wing extremists which oppose President Obama are also racially prejudiced and would prefer not to have an African-American president , '' Clinton told CNN 's Larry King in a wide-ranging interview that aired Monday evening .

`` But I do n't believe that all the people who oppose him on health care -- and all the conservatives -- are racists . And I believe if he were white , every single person who opposes him now would be opposing him then . ''

Clinton discussed a variety of issues facing the Obama administration -- from health care to the war in Afghanistan -- on the eve of the fifth annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative .

Regarding race , the former president was referring to an outburst from Rep. Joe Wilson , R-South Carolina , who shouted , `` You lie ! '' at Obama during the president 's recent joint address to Congress and also former President Carter 's assessment that racism is an obstacle for the current president .

`` While I have devoted my life to getting rid of racism , I think this -LSB- health care -RSB- is a fight that my president and our party -- this is one we need to win on the merits , '' Clinton said . Watch Clinton say he thinks a health care bill will pass ''

On the Arab-Israeli conflict -- which Clinton tried to address while in the White House -- the former president said it 's an issue that first has to be addressed by the Palestinians and Israelis . Obama has set up meetings with leaders from both sides this week as the U.N. General Assembly meets in New York .

`` First , it 's more up to them than it is to President Obama , '' Clinton said .

`` I think if we can just get them to start talking again around the two-state solutions , around restoring a sense of normalcy and creating a Palestinian state ... I think you would be surprised how quickly at least they would come down to all the same issues that they were down to in 2000 when I made my proposal . ''

In August , Clinton made headlines when he traveled to North Korea to gain the release of two detained U.S. journalists , Euna Lee and Laura Ling . During his visit , Clinton met with reclusive leader Kim Jong Il , whose government is under U.N. sanctions for its efforts to develop a nuclear weapons program .

Asked about how it felt to help the journalists , Clinton said , `` It was humbling , and it was a wonderful feeling . They 're really fine young women . ''

Clinton also discussed the conflict in Afghanistan , addressing top U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal 's report warning Obama that more troops are needed within the coming year or the nearly 8-year-old war `` will likely result in failure , '' according to a copy of a 66-page document obtained by The Washington Post .

Obama has promised to ask `` tough questions '' before deciding whether to send additional troops to Afghanistan , saying it was necessary to have a clear strategy in place before deploying resources .

`` My guess is that he will say , ` You may be right , general , but we still have this ongoing election count , let 's wait until that happens , let 's see what the new government 's going to be , let 's see if both the top two finishers are going to be in the government , which is a possibility , ' '' Clinton said .

`` And if that means there 's going to be more broad-based support because we got everybody together right after the election was over , then it 's clear that more soldiers will be even more effective . ''

Clinton , a New York resident , also touched on a New York Times report that Obama administration officials have urged New York Gov. David A. Paterson to withdraw from the 2010 race . White House officials acknowledged to CNN that aides have conveyed to Paterson 's camp they are aware of the governor 's unpopularity and the political troubles it could cause .

`` Well , first of all , I have no direct knowledge of it , '' Clinton said , adding later , `` The truth is I ca n't criticize either one of them . ''

`` I think Paterson is in a tough spot , but he 's done a better job than he 's gotten credit for , '' he said . `` So he 's done some good things . I think that he will do what he thinks is right for the people of New York in the end and for himself . I think the president understandably wants to hold on to the governorship of the fourth biggest state of the country . ''

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Ex-President Clinton says race not behind health care opposition

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But some extremists opposing President Obama racially prejudiced , Clinton says

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Clinton : `` It was a wonderful feeling '' to help U.S. journalists in North Korea